Thanks to all the brothas and sistas that supported us by submitting pics of their natural hair styles! To see a re-cap of the contest, join our Facebook Group and check out some great submissions from Fee Scott, Rhetoric, Tyisha, and Torrian.
Two of the most common questions that ladies going natural for the first time often ask are “What are some natural hair styles for black hair?” and “What are the best natural hair products on the market?”
That’s why we have featured articles in the past addressing both questions (check out our Salute to Natural Black Hair and So You Want To Go Natural? The Natural Hair Journey with Chris-Tia Donaldson), and that’s also the idea behind our natural hair contest. If you are looking for some style ideas, here are a few of the more popular photos entered into the contest
Natural Hair Styles Submissions
And the winner is…
Tyisha Baucom!
Her photos received a combined total of 28 likes! Tyisha is also a regular commenter in our Facebook Group – which we of course appreciate greatly!
When asked how long it took her to grow her natural hair, she revealed “this is year 11 with locs….and I was 2 years natural before my locs – so im 13 yrs natural and i love it”.
She offers the following advice for those considering the big chop: “Yes there is a stage where u feel akward…not attractive…and eager to give up and take it out….I’m am so glad I didnt…I WAS TRULY ADDICTED TO WEAVES….NEVER KNEW I WOULD BE SO DEDICATED TO BEING NATURAL. I LOVE IT!”
Congratulations again to Tyisha Baucom. She has won $50 worth of natural hair products, and a copy of the book, Going-Natural: How to Fall in Love with Nappy Hair
This contest was our way of supporting and promoting the natural look. For conscious Black men and women, natural hair is so much more than a fashion statement, its a serious social and political statement of self-awareness.
Natural Black Hair is more than a fashion statement, its a Social and Political Statement
The award winning website Madame Noir published a great article on the political disposition of rocking natuarl hair:
“The age-old efforts to subjugate us by devaluing our beauty, including our hair, have always been a political tactic to establish more European features, including long silky straight hair, as both mainstream and the status quo. Therefore the more you try to a heed to the mainstream image, the more you align and condone politically and socially the status quo. Each time one of us takes the plunge and cast off the shackles of shame, which suggest that our hair and beauty is inferior, the more we strike a blow to those political forces. And as more and more resist the notion that straight hair is the only type of hair to be considered both beautiful and professional, the more we shift the collective conscious of all folks to make mainstream more reflective and inclusive of you. That’s the essence of any great political movement – whether it is for civil rights or uncivilized hair.” (Source)
Natural hair can be a great means of expression and awareness for those of us who can see through white standards of beauty and professionalism, as well as a symbol of social empowerment.
Paul Mooney once said, “If your hair is relaxed, white people are relaxed. If your hair is nappy, then they’re not happy.” Nappy and natural hair is a means of expressing pride in ones Blackness in a culture that would have you believe that Black is whack.
Take back your natural hair. We have been blessed with the most radiantly beautiful skin, and the most richly textured hair of any people ever to walk the Earth. Reclaim your birthright! You might be suprised by what your natural hair looked like before you had it fried, dyed, and laid to the side!
Peace!
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